Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus
Alpine sulphur-flowered buckwheat
Photo: parent species Eriogonum umbellatum · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus (Alpine sulphur-flowered buckwheat) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by southern CA high mountains location and color-changing flowers distinctive.
Alpine sulphur-flowered buckwheat is a native perennial herb found in the southern Sierra Nevada Gabilan and southern Sierra Bruneaux Mountains on gravel terrain at elevations of 2,400 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces lemon yellow to yellow-red flowers that turn red, forming small clusters within compact mats. Growing as a low-spreading mat only 0.5 to 2 decimeters in diameter, it develops short stems less than one centimeter tall covered in soft, woolly tomentose hairs. Its small leaves, also tomentose, measure just 0.3 to 0.8 centimeters long and contribute to the plant's dense, compact growth form. The delicate flower clusters emerge from tomentose branches, with involucre tubes measuring 1.5 to 2 millimeters and small teeth of similar length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; southern CA high mountains location and color-changing flowers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravel
Elevation: (1800)2400-3100 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside
Bloom period
Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Adenostoma: Eriogonum has flowers in cup-like involucres; Adenostoma has tiny white rose-family flowers in spikes.; vs Salvia: Eriogonum has six similar perianth parts; Salvia has two-lipped tubular flowers.; vs Fagopyrum: Eriogonum has flowers in involucred clusters; Fagopyrum has loose branching sprays without involucres.; vs Artemisia: Eriogonum has cup-surrounded flower clusters; Artemisia has tiny inconspicuous heads in drooping sprays.; vs Chorizanthe: Eriogonum has multiple flowers per involucre; Chorizanthe has one flower per involucre with spiny teeth.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus native to California?
Yes. Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus bloom?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus grow?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, at elevations of (1800)2400-3100 m.
What plant family does Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus belong to?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Eriogonum.
Is Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus rare or endangered?
Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. modocense — Modoc sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. munzii — Munz's sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. nelsoniorum — Nelsons' sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. nevadense — Nevada sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. polyanthum — American river sulphur flower
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. smallianum — Small's sulphur flower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.